Introduction To Introduction To Dairy Cattle EvaluationDairy Cattle Evaluation

Mr. WeaverMr. Weaver

ObjectivesObjectives Identify the parts of a dairy animal. Identify the parts of a dairy animal.

Determine five critical areas on a dairy animal Determine five critical areas on a dairy animal that should be considered to maximize milk that should be considered to maximize milk efficiency. efficiency.

Analyze dairy animals using determined parts Analyze dairy animals using determined parts and five critical areas. and five critical areas.

PollTopline

Back

Chine Loin RumpHip

Thurl Tailhead

Pin Bone

Tail

Thigh

Stifle

Hock

Switch

Dew Claw

PasternHoof

HeelSole

Knee

Point of ElbowBrisket

Dewlap

Point of Shoulder

Parts of the Dairy Cow

ThroatJaw

Muzzle

Bridge of Nose

Forehead

NeckWithers Crops

Barrell

Heart GirthRibs

Rear Udder Attachment

Rear UdderFore UdderFlank

Teats

Fore Udder Attachment

Milk Veins

Milk W

ells

Chest Floor

XX

XX X X

X

X XX

XX

X

X

X

X

XXXX

X

XXXX

XXX

X

X

X X X X

X X X

XXX

XXXXX

Why Judge Dairy Cattle?Why Judge Dairy Cattle?

~ ~ Gain a better understanding of what makes a Gain a better understanding of what makes a productive and functional dairy cow productive and functional dairy cow

~ Improve observational skills~ Improve observational skills

~ Learn how to present yourself in a clear manner~ Learn how to present yourself in a clear manner

~ Have fun~ Have fun

Dairy Cow Unified Dairy Cow Unified ScorecardScorecard

40%40% Mammary SystemMammary System 20% 20% Dairy CharacterDairy Character 15%15% FrameFrame 15%15% Feet & LegsFeet & Legs 10%10% Body CapacityBody Capacity

Mammary System – 40 %Mammary System – 40 %

Udder DepthUdder Depth

How high above the hock is the udder?How high above the hock is the udder?

Teat placement & SizeTeat placement & Size

Where are the teats Where are the teats placed on the quarters?placed on the quarters?– Pay particular attention to Pay particular attention to

the front teats. the front teats.

Teats should be about 2 Teats should be about 2 inches long and inches long and cylindricalcylindrical

Rear Udder Width & Rear Udder Width & HeightHeight

Rear udder width is Rear udder width is measured at the measured at the attachmentattachment

The higher the rear The higher the rear udder the better!udder the better!

Fore Udder &Fore Udder & Udder Udder QualityQuality

Look at the length & Look at the length & smoothness of the smoothness of the fore udder fore udder attachment attachment

Look at the balance Look at the balance from both side and from both side and rearrear

Look at the veining Look at the veining of the udder of the udder

Dairy Character – 20%Dairy Character – 20%

What is dairy character?What is dairy character?~ Dairy character indicates the ability of the cow to efficiently convert feed to milk.

~ Evidence of dairy character includes flat bone and angularity

Rib & Bone Rib & Bone

Look for rib that sweeps Look for rib that sweeps back toward the flankback toward the flank

Look for ribs that are Look for ribs that are wide apart and flatwide apart and flat

The bone should also be The bone should also be flat & refinedflat & refined

Cleanliness & Cleanliness & AngularityAngularity

Look for sharp Look for sharp withers, hips & withers, hips & pinspins

Clean down the Clean down the neck and thighneck and thigh

Frame – 15%Frame – 15% Components of FrameComponents of Frame

• RumpRump

• StatureStature

• Front endFront end

• BackBack

• Head & Breed CharacterHead & Breed Character

Rump, Stature & BackRump, Stature & Back• The rump should have a slight slope from hips to pins.

• The rump should be wide from hip to hip and pin to pin.

• Stature is how tall the cow is at the withers.

• The back should be slightly higher at the withers than hips and straight all the way across.

Rump, Stature & BackRump, Stature & Back

Front End & StrengthFront End & Strength Front end assembly

is the shoulder and chest– It should be smooth

and tight

Strength = width of chest & muzzle.

Head & Breed Head & Breed CharacterCharacter

Look for: a feminine head correct breed colors

and shape of head Deep jaw & wide

muzzle

Feet & Legs – 15%Feet & Legs – 15%Components of Feet and Legs:Components of Feet and Legs:• Feet – deep heel, short toeFeet – deep heel, short toe• Rear legs – straight from rearRear legs – straight from rear• Rear legs – moderate angle from sideRear legs – moderate angle from side• Pasterns – short and strongPasterns – short and strong

Legs – Side ViewLegs – Side View• View the rear legs

from the side

• The leg should have a moderate angle to the hock

• The hock should be clean and flexible

Body Capacity – 10%Body Capacity – 10% Body capacity is simply the volume of the cow

– ( Length X Width X Depth ) Look for:

– a long body– a wide chest– a deep barrel

Length & Depth of Length & Depth of BarrelBarrel

Lets Practice!Lets Practice!Here is a practice class of Brown Swiss cows…

Look at each cow and think about the parts of the Unified Scorecard.

Then write down several things that you like or dislike about that cow.

Finally, write down how you would place the class

Brown Swiss - Cow ABrown Swiss - Cow A

Brown Swiss - Cow BBrown Swiss - Cow B

Brown Swiss - Cow CBrown Swiss - Cow C

Brown Swiss - Cow DBrown Swiss - Cow D

Time for Decisions…Time for Decisions… Which cow has the best udder? What about 2Which cow has the best udder? What about 2ndnd. .

Best?Best? Which cow has the worst udder?Which cow has the worst udder? Which cow has the most dairy character?Which cow has the most dairy character? Which cow has the least dairy character?Which cow has the least dairy character?

What do What do youyou think? think? Which cow had the best frame? The worst

frame?

Which cow had the best feet? the worst feet?

Which cow has the most body capacity? the least body capacity?

Did you see what the Did you see what the judge saw?judge saw?

UdderUdder A C D BA C D B Dairy characterDairy character C A D BC A D B FrameFrame A C B DA C B D Feet & LegsFeet & Legs C D A BC D A B Body CapacityBody Capacity A D C BA D C B

How did you do?How did you do? Did you see it like the judge did?Did you see it like the judge did?

Even if you didn’t, that’s O.K.Even if you didn’t, that’s O.K. Learning to judge Dairy Cattle takes timeLearning to judge Dairy Cattle takes time As long as you’re willing to learn and are having As long as you’re willing to learn and are having

fun judging can be a great experience!fun judging can be a great experience!

Did you see what the Did you see what the judge saw?judge saw?

The judge’s final placing was…The judge’s final placing was…

A C D BA C D B

To read what the judge had to say about this class of cows go to:To read what the judge had to say about this class of cows go to: HOARD'S DAIRYMAN -- The National Dairy Farm MagazineHOARD'S DAIRYMAN -- The National Dairy Farm Magazine